“The woman of Samaria said to Him (Jesus), ‘How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?’" —John 4:9

You can’t change the world how God wants until you’re first changed.

But we can learn a whole lot about effective world changing or witnessing in the Word. Sure, by examining the way our Lord did this for His Heavenly Father. Go check it out in the Bible once again, like where Christ encountered the woman at the well (John 4:5-26). Follow Him and His good example.

Christ wisely and deeply loved her. He timed things perfectly not in a weird way--He was walking in the Spirit. Jesus did break all social protocol though.. by simply talking to this Samaritan woman there. He was fully God, fully man and He had such a pure and giving love inside for her. You remember how Jesus asked her for a drink of water. Giving to God seems to give Him something to work with—he started her out with a habit to form. What He really wanted, was her to give Him her whole life.

After the icebreaker so to speak, Christ had a perfect opportunity to outright condemn her with her past and current loose-livin'-habits, but why do that when it wouldn't help. He didn’t do that. Instead, Jesus was a gentleman who listened.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17

Have you prayed about being a wise witness for Jesus before the people you care about before?

And God loves you gobs as well!..yes, as much as He loves His own dear son, and He proved this by sending Him. God proved His love was real on the cross. And God in His great love chose you to become His dear child. He wants to bless you and bless others through you. He delights to use ordinary people like you and me.

Too many Westerners get inverted--looking at self. No need for too much of that. The idea for the believer is N O T really to focus on our own heart, but rather to look up—to focus our heart on the Word of God. Theology is very important to study from the Bible primarily, but don’t let your resolve for correct doctrine make you dry, miserable, mean, arrogant, or condemning of other people. You’ve got to be a person of passionate worship and prayer as well, a practical servant with a soft humble heart.

If we truly understand what it is to love God and then His people, then everything else will fall into place and be right.

We don’t need to redefine what God has already defined. Let’s get back to the church the way it was in the beginning.

Some people think we need to redefine the church for today. I think we need to rediscover it!

You can be loving, accepting, caring, and yet unbiblical in what you say.

Ask yourself, is my spirit right? How is your attitude? You can be kind, sympathetic and fashionably “tolerant” even tolerant of that which God is intolerant. It seems that too many people would prefer to offend God just as long as they don’t offend people.. even evil people who seek to harm others. I wouldn’t mind serving and helping people, but would rather not offend God while pleasing people.

You can be biblically correct, but unloving, puffed up in pride and even harsh—the religious leaders of Christ’s day were like that a lot of the time and at other times they weren’t even biblically correct not knowing the Scriptures or the power of God.

“But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.”Matthew 22:29

None of us need to be flawless cuz the grace, love and blood of Jesus covers, but that doesn’t mean we need to continue on in a spiritually compromising lifestyle. Listen, you may be resisting the enemy in one area, and yet setting up house with him in another.

It’s the growing, no-compromise believers in the word and full of faith that are fruitful and effective one. Small things always turn into big things regarding sin. Purpose in your heart now not to live a compromise lifestyle, believer.

More people have been brought down by the sin of compromise than any other sin. Remember Sampson and Delilah? Slowly, slowly he gave in until he lost his power for victory.

Faith is a consent of the will to the assent of the understanding. I’m not talking about that name it claim it, blab it and grab it word-faith aberration. No, biblical faith sees what could be and yet obeys the Word. Faith is not just intellectual assent—the devils believe and tremble. It’s an appropriate action—it’s decency and love on display. It is action in response to God’s Word. A believer sees invisible things in a sense, not everything.. yes, when God shows him or her what to go do or say.

“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me.. to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

In a court of law with a criminal court case, witnesses provide vital information that’s true about a possible crime that was committed. Being a witness there means telling the court the exact truth about what you know. It’s not about hiding or twisting the facts about what we personally saw, heard, felt, or experienced. Well, just as the jurist prudence system regarding criminal justice relies heavily upon witnesses, so does our just God do that. His Son does too. Jesus uses bold, faithful, caring and credible witnesses to spread His Word and to build His church.

Lord, help us show compassion

To a world that's lost in sin,

So when we share the Gospel,

Hungry souls for Christ we'll win. —Sper

Getting right with the Lord and loving the lost in prayer and then with deeds—those are the first steps in becoming a world-changer for Christ.

Regarding sin, admitting it and quitting—those are the first steps towards becoming the world-changer that God wants to make you into. Unless people repent and believe in the Bible Jesus they are in eternal trouble that God doesn’t want em in. I don’t either, but nobody gets saved without true repentance and saving faith in Christ. What am I talking about? Repentance is a true recognition of sin—we’ve all blown it and sinned says the Bible. And then it’s followed by a heartfelt sorrow inside that you hurt God, and then it culminates in a positive change of behavior that corresponds with a regenerated living human spirit when one is forgiven. Have you asked for true repentance, free forgiveness and saving faith? You can right now.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Ongoing hard circumstances and trials don't have to mean hardening in any way.. of the attitudes.

Tough things happen, sometimes way too tough.. but you're only a prayer from real kindness, from comfort, from answers, from tenderness.

Grace received can really help you act gracious.. and maintain an upbeat attitude in even a very downbeat kinda environment. Not all settings are, but it's good to be prepared in advance.

Pray believing without ceasing. We live in a fallen sin-cursed-world that indeed can be pretty hard and mean sometimes ..cuz of selfish sin.. but you and I don't have to be conformed to this world and become hard-hearted. Conformed has to do with changing from outside in, but transformed has to do with being changed by God's love from the inside out.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2 kjv

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ." 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Having Jesus living big on the inside as Lord is what really matters most.

"Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness." Hebrews 3:8

"And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt." Exodus 7:3

"Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart." Ephesians 4:18

"And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had spoken unto Moses." Exodus 9:12

You can be confident, free, totally bold, completely fearless, winsomely balanced and spiritually strong.. even when this whacked-world does its very best to try to shame you into silence.

Today I feel for religious people. It's true.. been there. Yes feel empathetic and sorry inside, cuz it's pretty sad for em. When I asked my Muslim friends and they finally got around to answering me ..they really don't know if their Allah (who is not the Bible God. Duh!) will in the end.. even accept them.

Just sayin’. Listen, I can understand to a degree.. cuz I too was raised in a religious home and had no assurance or righteousness inside at all.. until I turned 18 and turned to invite Jesus in.

Religion says do good, be good!.. always be good and God might let you in. It never gives you the power to, but it does look down on you and give you cold condemnation if you fail.

But think about it ..who is on their own.. that good? None. And it’s not easy for religious people who go through their entire life having zero assurance, peace or real joy inside.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 1:9-11

“And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to [him] for to shew him the buildings of the temple.”Matthew 24:1-51

There really is a right and a wrong--not at all popular to say.God can empower us to live right, but religion never will. And everything in this world is tolerated except what we reborn non-carnal Christians believe, because we believe in absolutes.. yes, in what's found in the Scriptures.

There’s a lot more people today associated with “the nones” as they call themselves (having no religion). And they’re simply being honest about simply not associating to any belief. Nominal Christians feel no more need to associate with culturally acceptable Southern Bible belt type of Christianity. And being a real Christian has never been vogue. I’m glad that if the Antichrist is close and he will indeed appear on the scene pretty soon.. but Jesus Christ is even closer.

Seek the Lord about this. Go check it out ..what really needs to happen before the Rapture of the Church from this earth takes place.. Nothing needs to. No prophecy. All the Bible prophecies have been fulfilled already that need to happen pre-us-getting-snatched-away (up there).

It doesn’t trouble me at all.. it just means there are more people who’ve now grasped that they don’t at all know the Lord Jesus relationally (He's God’s only provision for people with their sin issues..), and therefore we see more people to tactfully evangelize with truth and love.. His love. Doesn’t the Bible talk about it being just like this in the last days? Sure ..it says in the last days there’ll be a “great apostasy” first.

"Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." 2 Thessalonians 2:2

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.." 1 Timothy 4:1

Monday, February 22, 2016

A: Yup.Do you remember in July 2016 when
Anderson Cooper asked Donald Trump if he's ever needed to repent of
his sins? That's related to Heaven, Hell and his future destination--important. (BTW: I really like the Donald who as I type this is trumping networks, candidates, polls, lots of stuff as he is running for President. I love many of his comments and am sincerely
praying for him too--hope we can sit down, laugh and talk one day up
in Heaven). I remember on hearing him on CNN say that “People are
so shocked when they find … out I am Protestant. I am Presbyterian.
And I go to church and I love God and I love my church,” he said. Moderator Frank Luntz (who used to draw a pay check from Marco Rubio) asked Donald Trump whether he has ever asked God for
forgiveness for his actions. “I am not sure I have. I just go on
and try to do a better job from there. I don’t think so,” he
said. “I think if I do something wrong, I think, I just try and
make it right. I don’t bring God into that picture. I don’t.”
Trump said that while he hasn’t asked God for forgiveness, he does
participate in Holy Communion.“When I drink my little wine —
which is about the only wine I drink — and have my little cracker,
I guess that is a form of asking for forgiveness, and I do that as
often as possible because I feel cleansed,” he said. “I think in
terms of ‘let’s go on and let’s make it right.'”“I try and lead a life where I don’t
have to ask God for forgiveness,” Trump said. “Why do I have to
ask for forgiveness if you’re not making mistakes? I work hard, I’m
an honorable person.” Trump added that while he thinks “repenting
is terrific,” he described asking for forgiveness in the holy
Christian sacrament of communion. “When I drink my little wine —
which is about the only wine I drink — and have my little cracker,
I guess that is a form of asking for forgiveness,” Trump said.

Repentance and faith are needed to avoid Hell no matter what you have accomplished, built, or done. All need to understand this, all people need to repent and trust Jesus Christ instead of their works.. must come to Christ on His terms instead of on their own. Munching on communion wafers grant no forgiveness according to the Bible, though we could silently ask for forgiveness at that time. I won't judge Donald and his standing, but know this.. the bigger one's ego when it comes to confession and faith, the smaller their God (though the Bible-God is never small).

God's Scriptures declare that Christ
through “one sacrifice... has made perfect forever those who are
being made holy” (Hebrews 10:14; see also Hebrews 1:3). Thus, we
can rest assured that Christ received in his own body all the
punishment we deserved, absolutely satisfying the justice of God on
our behalf (Romans 3:25–26; 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21; 1 Peter 3:18; 1
John 2:2). When Jesus cried out from the cross, “It is finished!”
(John 19:30) he was in effect saying, “The debt has been paid in
full.”

Furthermore, Roman Catholicism clearly tears downwards and undermines the Bible's teaching on the seriousness of sin by forwarding the notion that there
are "venial sins" that can be atoned for through a temporal/temporary punishment in this place called Purgatory. But in reality, the Bible makes it very clear that all our
transgressions and iniquities are sins (not venial or mortal sins--go try to find verses on this) against a holy eternal God
(Psalm 51:4). And as such, they rightly incur an eternal rather than
a temporal debt (Ezekiel 18:4; Matthew 5-7; Romans 6:23; James 2:10).

Mormons falsely teach that the term
‘Heaven,’ as intended for the Saints’ eternal home, must
include more kingdoms than one.” Yes, in his ensuing “revelation,”
Joseph Smith identifies three heavens, or levels of glory: the
celestial, the terrestrial, and the telestial. He tries to parallel
Paul's thoughts in 1 Corinthians 15:39–44 but he LDS errors in this.

Some people here have different levels of influence or of delegated authority. We're all accountable before the Lord. All of us have of course blown it in sin, but God deeply loves us (even all the Candidates) equally--He really wants us comforted with Him forever in Heaven, but there are different degrees of punishment in Hell.

John 3:17-18, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. 18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Heb. 2:2-3, “For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard.”

Things might be kind of going bad for
us believers here and now, but it won't always be like that. God
loves us and will be totally fair with each of us in the end--He is
very just and holy. We will be amazed at this I believe, how fitting
and right everything will be.

Mt. 11:20-22, “Then He began to reproach the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 “Nevertheless I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you . . . I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.”

Luke 12:47-48, “And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, shall receive many lashes, 48 but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”

John 19:11, “Jesus answered [Pilate], 'You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me up to you has the greater sin.'"

Heb. 10:29, “How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?”

“And as it is appointed unto men once
to die, but after this the judgment..” Hebrews 9:27

If you are looking for the will of God, listen the will of God is the Word of God. And you can get right with the Word of God today--right now. Don't put off your decision. Not all people are equally evil or bad.
Though all of us "sinners" deserve damnation because we've
offended the Lord. And God is perfectly holy--He doesn't let any
unforgiven sinners into His home above. Different people have
committed different degrees of their sinning. And some sins are
simply more destructive to people.

So, if Jesus speaks of greater
condemnation for Chorazin and Bethsaida than Tyre and Sidon (Matt.
11:21-22), one slave received more punishment than another (Luke
12:47-48), the one who delivered Jesus to Pilate has the greater sin
(John 19:11), and a more severe punishment is reserved for those who
trample underfoot the Son of God, then does not greater sin mean that
greater punishment will also happen in Hell? Yes, it certainly does.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

The Word will capture your mind, your imagination, and your heart. It's God-breathed and infallible. I even believe the maps inside--that's the attitude we should have. The Word heals marriages, heals bodies, restores families, and even sets the worst criminals free.. if they allow this. Man, you can trust this love letter, this fishing-manual of sorts. The Bible was written ..not to you, but for you and it has both internal and external evidence. God see and ask what did the Lord mean to the people in that culture back in the day? What is the transferable truth that I can apply in my life here today?

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Romans 10:17

"And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17

"And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness." Acts 4:31

"For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe." 1 Thessalonians 2:13

The Message of the Bible is: There's abundant and eternal life in Christ because of the Cross. He's for you, and He's alive to make sure of this! Jesus the living Word--He is the truth of God that frees people. He's the hero of the Bible, which is the written Word. The Word is practical, personal.. "Living and active.." It can straighten us out and up. Prayerfully read through 2 Timothy 3!

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Grab your Bible and open it. Open your mouth and express from your heart as well praying for your friends and family members. Let's remember and pray for people to invite and bring to Texas.HarvestAmerica.com

I say.. Begin your weekend with.. instead of only end it with, or forgetting God. What beats spending time with Jesus? Nothing.

Go to Him early on rather than as a mere afterthought. Sure, starting with the Lord is always better--"seek ye first..." (Matt. 6:33). We are His creation and He knows exactly what we need today. He delights to walk in close friendship and meet all our needs ..so we're actually lacking nothing.

I am not good, but Jesus is. You and me; we can't save anyone, but He can. Where in the Bible does it say I am good..or you are? It says One is good. I have sinned. Where does it say we initiate good..or the seeking of Him who is good? It doesn't--we can respond to the Initiator, and then we can help other too! If you knew all my deeds, attitudes, heart conditions and sins like I know em, you'd never stop to talk with me.If I knew all your deeds, attitudes, heart conditions and sins like God knows em, apart from having Christ inside of me.. I'd sadly never stop to talk with you. Jesus would. He did for me. If people begin to seek after God, it's because the Holy Spirit initiates--He woos them to Jesus. He does that through Christians witnessing in love. Otherwise people never do seek Him. Pray, go fetch, bring with! March 6th! AT&T Cowboy Stadium. Not many days until!!!.. Texas.HarvestAmerica.com

"I let Myself be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I let Myself be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ To the nation [Israel] which did not call on My Name. 'I have spread out My hands all the day long to a rebellious and stubborn people, who walk in the way that is not good, [following] after their own thoughts and intentions, the people who continually provoke Me to My face.." Isaiah 65:1-3a amp

The devil prefers me dead.. and you too. He temps people, lures, bates his traps, and kills when he can.. both slow and fast--prefers fast. Still does, but the Lord longs to give abundant life.. with no ending. Still does. The former is into stealing, killing and destroying. He's a dweeb and loser. Me? Was into parties, volleyball, skiing, and surfing.. tried so many things. Didn't mind the short-lived pleasure--tried to make it last a bit longer. I sought long ..something to make me happy.. as He, the Hound, of heaven pursued after.. He chased me in love until He caught me. Out of moves and my own solutions I let Him. It was either the Lord and His good plan or creepy Mr. Lu-Cifer and his.

“Like a good chess player, Satan is always trying to maneuver you into a position where you can save your castle only by losing your bishop.” ~ C.S. Lewis

Lewis wrote of getting found by Christ in, “The Weight of Glory,” where "my sense of longing for another place became the foundation for how I now live: not to be so enamored with the shadows of this world as to forget the reality of our hope." Then he spoke of settin' his heart for Jesus and evangelism because if eternity is reality, then we are constantly dealing with folks who are destined for a place, for eternity in paradise in the presence of our Maker or forever in a nightmare that doesn't end, doomed without any prospect of redemption. Our time to work here is limited--there's no hope beyond their grave. Choose to turn and cooperate with the Holy Spirit. Seek the Lord today. Be found while you can! Help your buds get that way too. Seeking in the Old and New Testaments.. has to do with a “setting of the mind and heart” on the Lord. It's a conscious choice we each make.. of fixing or focusing of our mind’s attention and our heart’s affection on God

Seeking involves biblical whole-hearted worship in connection with God and His Church, it involves Bible study--hearing from Him, and simply calling out to Him and pleading in prayer.

"Seek and deeply long for the Lord and His strength His power, His might; seek and deeply long for His face and His presence continually." Psalm 105:4 amp

Read this poem I so love... "I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;

I fled Him, down the arches of the years;

I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways

Of my own mind; and in the midst of tears

I hid from Him, and under running laughter.Je

Up vistaed hopes I sped;

And shot, precipitated,

Adown Titanic glooms of chasmed fears,

From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.

But with unhurrying chase,

And unperturbèd pace,

Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,

They beat—and a Voice beat

More instant than the Feet—

'All things betray thee, who betrayest Me'.

I pleaded, outlaw-wise,

By many a hearted casement, curtained red,

Trellised with intertwining charities;

(For, though I knew His love Who followed,

Yet was I sore adread

Lest, having Him, I must have naught beside.)

But, if one little casement parted wide,

The gust of His approach would clash it to:

Fear wist not to evade, as Love wist to pursue.

Across the margent of the world I fled,

And troubled the gold gateway of the stars,

Smiting for shelter on their clanged bars;

Fretted to dulcet jars

And silvern chatter the pale ports o' the moon.

I said to Dawn: Be sudden—to Eve: Be soon;

With thy young skiey blossom heap me over

From this tremendous Lover—

Float thy vague veil about me, lest He see!

I tempted all His servitors, but to find

My own betrayal in their constancy,

In faith to Him their fickleness to me,

Their traitorous trueness, and their loyal deceit.

To all swift things for swiftness did I sue;

Clung to the whistling mane of every wind.

But whether they swept, smoothly fleet,

The long savannahs of the blue;

Or, whether, Thunder-driven,

They clanged his chariot 'thwart a heaven,

Plashy with flying lightnings round the spurn o' their feet:—

Fear wist not to evade as Love wist to pursue.

Still with unhurrying chase,

And unperturbed pace,

Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,

Came on the following Feet,

And a Voice above their beat—

'Naught shelters thee, who wilt not shelter Me.'

I sought no more after that which I strayed

In face of man or maid;

But still within the little children's eyes

Seems something, something that replies,

They at least are for me, surely for me!

I turned me to them very wistfully;

But just as their young eyes grew sudden fair

With dawning answers there,

Their angel plucked them from me by the hair.

Come then, ye other children, Nature's—share

With me’ (said I) 'your delicate fellowship;

Let me greet you lip to lip,

Let me twine with you caresses,

Wantoning

With our Lady-Mother's vagrant tresses,

Banqueting

With her in her wind-walled palace,

Underneath her azured dais,

Quaffing, as your taintless way is,

From a chalice

Lucent-weeping out of the dayspring.’

So it was done:

I in their delicate fellowship was one—

Drew the bolt of Nature's secrecies.

I knew all the swift importings

On the wilful face of skies;

I knew how the clouds arise

Spumèd of the wild sea-snortings;

All that's born or dies

Rose and drooped with; made them shapers

Of mine own moods, or wailful divine;

With them joyed and was bereaven.

I was heavy with the even,

When she lit her glimmering tapers

Round the day's dead sanctities.

I laughed in the morning's eyes.

I triumphed and I saddened with all weather,

Heaven and I wept together,

And its sweet tears were salt with mortal mine:

Against the red throb of its sunset-heart

I laid my own to beat,

And share commingling heat;

But not by that, by that, was eased my human smart.

In vain my tears were wet on Heaven's grey cheek.

For ah! we know not what each other says,

These things and I; in sound I speak—

Their sound is but their stir, they speak by silences.

Nature, poor stepdame, cannot slake my drouth;

Let her, if she would owe me,

Drop yon blue bosom-veil of sky, and show me

The breasts o’ her tenderness:

Never did any milk of hers once bless

My thirsting mouth.

Nigh and nigh draws the chase,

With unperturbed pace,

Deliberate speed, majestic instancy;

And past those noisèd Feet

A voice comes yet more fleet—

'Lo! naught contents thee, who content'st not Me.'

Naked I wait Thy love's uplifted stroke!

My harness piece by piece Thou has hewn from me,

And smitten me to my knee;

I am defenceless utterly.

I slept, methinks, and woke,

And, slowly gazing, find me stripped in sleep.

In the rash lustihead of my young powers,

I shook the pillaring hours

And pulled my life upon me; grimed with smears,

I stand amidst the dust o' the mounded years—

My mangled youth lies dead beneath the heap.

My days have crackled and gone up in smoke,

Have puffed and burst as sun-starts on a stream.

Yea, faileth now even dream

The dreamer, and the lute the lutanist;

Even the linked fantasies, in whose blossomy twist

I swung the earth a trinket at my wrist,

Are yielding; cords of all too weak account

For earth with heavy griefs so overplussed.

Ah! is Thy love indeed

A weed, albeit an amarinthine weed,

Suffering no flowers except its own to mount?

Ah! must—

Designer infinite!—

Ah! must Thou char the wood ere Thou canst limn with it?

My freshness spent its wavering shower i' the dust;

And now my heart is as a broken fount,

Wherein tear-drippings stagnate, spilt down ever

From the dank thoughts that shiver

Upon the sighful branches of my mind.

Such is; what is to be?

The pulp so bitter, how shall taste the rind?

I dimly guess what Time in mists confounds;

Yet ever and anon a trumpet sounds

From the hid battlements of Eternity;

Those shaken mists a space unsettle, then

Round the half-glimpsed turrets slowly wash again.

But not ere him who summoneth

I first have seen, enwound

With glooming robes purpureal, cypress-crowned;

His name I know and what his trumpet saith.

Whether man's heart or life it be which yields

Thee harvest, must Thy harvest-fields

Be dunged with rotten death?

Now of that long pursuit

Comes on at hand the bruit;

That Voice is round me like a bursting sea:

'And is thy earth so marred,

Shattered in shard on shard?

Lo, all things fly thee, for thou fliest Me!

'Strange, piteous, futile thing!

Wherefore should any set thee love apart?

Seeing none but I makes much of naught' (He said),

'And human love needs human meriting:

How hast thou merited—

Of all man's clotted clay the dingiest clot?

Alack, thou knowest not

How little worthy of any love thou art!

Whom wilt thou find to love ignoble thee,

Save Me, save only Me?

All which I took from thee I did but take,

Not for thy harms,

But just that thou might'st seek it in My arms.

All which thy child's mistake

Fancies as lost, I have stored for thee at home:

Rise, clasp My hand, and come!'

Halts by me that footfall:

Is my gloom, after all,

Shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly?

'Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest,

I am He Whom thou seekest!

Thou dravest love from thee, who dravest Me." ~ Francis Thompson

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1–2

“Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God.” 1 Chronicles 22:19 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6

“If you will seek God and plead with the Almighty for mercy...” Job 8:5

"Go.. tell." Mark 5:19

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I travel to speak, and gladly help others to travel on purpose! Let's plan! I also teach and regularly serve with Global Media Outreach. Authored a couple training books. Been privileged for almost for decades to do some speaking, missionary work in 21 nations and local church pastoring.. as a "Connector" if ya will—a vertical motivator. See about.me/kvs or www.linkedin.com/in/f4skurt

Why do I seek to relationally connect people up? It's for the purpose of living and behavioral alteration and global impact. Yup! Would ya like to check on my speaking availability? I'm here to challenge peeps, add value if I can and build em up. What do I believe? A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will make for a great church or person. Question for ya: Have you yet discovered that second only to experiencing the blessing, the glorious adventure, and great privilege of knowing / worshiping the Lord personally, is the JOY of making Christ known to others? You can today.

You can, and even starting today! Yup, it's for every Christian, the Bible says, “Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!’” (Matthew 4:19). Remember how He encouraged Simon saying, “Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!" (Luke 5:10). Well, with grace, accuracy and joy, Christ wants to use you in this worldwide endeavor as well! Can you think of anything more important?

The U.S.A. has basically been in a state of perplexity for a while, because we’ve relied too much on bankers, brokers, and right and left leaning bureaucrats. How is it in your country? We are still somewhat blessed, but technology hasn’t rescued us from the huge problems that we've created. It used to be: “In God we trust” and during times of uncertainty like these, I say we simply remember our roots and return to Him who gives peace.. and that we do this on His terms as found in the Bible.

Our aim at F4S Evangelism is edification, education, equipping plus ..to help you and your friends first hook-up with: 1.) The Ultimate Fisher of people, 2.) With other people just like you.. who are really wanting to make a lasting difference on this planet for His Glory, and also with, 3.) Your God-given ministry and evangelistic purpose! Why? Here’s why.. on the horizontal plane there’s nothing better than Gospel ministry to invest your time, talent and treasures into! kurtwvons